03/29/2012

Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn says he’s not satisfied with the pace of change at his company, “especially considering the opportunities we have in the marketplace.”

So the company announced Thursday that it will close 50 Best Buy big box stores that “don’t meet our investment criteria” this year, open 100 Best Buy Mobile boutiques, and run a test in the Twin Cities and San Antonio in remodeling big box stores to Connected Stores. The Connected Stores will focus resources on computing and mobile solutions, in hardware, service and accessories, Dunn said. The stores will feature a “Central Knowledge Desk” in the center to help customers with services and instructions, and offer training and classes, he said.

Best Buy isn’t commenting further on which stores it’s closing, and where it’s opening the mobile stores, said Kelly Groehler, a spokesperson.

“We are working to ensure the impact to our employees will be as minimal as possible, while serving all customers in a convenient and satisfying way,” Groehler said. “We will announce details about specific store locations and timing for closings once they are finalized.”